Lander Woman Sentenced in Federal Court for False Sexual Assault Accusations

Acting United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming Bob Murray, announced Monday that 36-year-old Rachael Stagner of Lander was sentenced in U.S. District Court by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson. Stagner was sentenced to 21 months of imprisonment for making false accusations of sexual assault. According to the Department of Justice, Stagner was indicted on September 16, 2020 for making false accusations that she was sexually assaulted by a white male on the Wind River Indian Reservation. She pled guilty to the charge on January 4 of this year.

Stagner’s accusations initiated an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Because the alleged crime happened on the Wind River Indian Reservation, the FBI has jurisdiction. During the course of the investigation, Stagner continued with her false allegations in an effort to extort money from the victim.

Upon completion of her prison sentence Stagner will serve 36 months of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kerry Jacobson.